Chennai & Kochi,India

April 20-21 & 25-26

INDIA!  

One of the most colorful, mystical, wondrous, hot and holy places on earth!

Come aboard the bus for a drive through 

Chennai (formally known as Madras), India

(streets as seen through a dirt streaked window)

Indian woman seemingly float through the streets, not that they don't have gut but they emerge like colorful butterflies through the filth and heat.

India: Thirsty giant.  
Children's laughter as they play joyfully 
in this precious and dwindling resource.

Street markets

Krishna Mandapam ~ Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Descent of the Ganges ~ world's largest bas-relief representing all creation.

Big round boulder known as Krishna's Butter Ball, balancing on hillside seemingly defies gravity

Pancha Rathas shrines, each a monolith carved from single large piece of rock.  Lion and elephant sculpture.

Draupadi Ratha dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Lunch at Fisherman's Cove

Colorful sarees

Fine silk scarves

Visit Kalakshetra, a holy place of arts.


Watch woman's group performance of 
traditional Indian dance & music

Stay another day and visit 
Kochi (formally knows as Cochin), India

Deliciously scented handmade Indian essential oils.

Ascended Ganesh

St. Francis Church 1503

Hand pulled ceiling fan panels still used today.

Vasco da Gama orginal burial site

Rain trees grow large enough to create 
their own microclimate of moisture that collects on the ground beneath the tree.

Chinese fishing nets

Counter-weighted by large stones tied to ropes


Give it a pull and see what you catch

Along the waterline is center for trade

Coconut juice, anyone? The goats seem to enjoy it too.

Catch of the day

Fisherman along the backwaters bring in their catch

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